My Boys and Me

I don’t have time to write an entry today (I am getting ready to meet Robyn for a movie date), but I wanted to post some pictures because its been such a fun week with the boys. As much as I’ve enjoyed all the “me” time I’ve had this summer, I’ve also REALLY enjoyed spending so much time with the boys…..3 weeks until I start work again and it will be sad not to be with Braeden and Mikey all day every day. I have been SO incredibly blessed to have had 4 months OFF that I can’t complain (nor am I) at all. Have I mentioned lately JUST how happy I am, how much I LOVE my family and friends and how much I praise GOD for this incredible life he has given me?! Well I am mentioning it NOW! Enjoy the pictures.

These brothers ADORE one another-

They opened an awesome new indoor play place about 20 minutes from our house called No Limits and we tried it out on Friday. It was so much fun. Robyn, Deb and all our kids had so much fun playing together and did great during lunch at Moe’s afterward.

B and Deb’s little girl Abigail (back right, swinging)-

Robyn’s little guy Bennett (18 months)-

Bennett found his OWN way of getting the balls in the hole-

Mikey sitting in the ball pit-

He decided he had enough sitting and found a way he could JUMP into the ball pit-

Anything that involves balls; shooting hoops-

Braeden about to SCORE!

LOVE this picture, LOVE the girl (and boy)

Deb’s little guy Reed (14 months) is SO close to walking-

Bennett and Reed (SO cute)-

All of us, (you know its impossible to get all 6 kids to look at the camera)-

Austin, next time I will get pictures of you. I’ll chase you if I have to. Ha!

K, gotta go. More soon!

I am home, Braeden is home and I know of one little 2 year old who is mighty happy! I think my husband is pretty happy too Get this, he allows ME a week away ALONE, and I come home to a bouquet of roses on the kitchen table!? I should be the one kissing his feet. It truly was such a glorious week! At times I got so caught up in my own little world, my parents, brother and girlfriend probably thought I was a tad anti-social. I ADORE my precious family, but there is something to be said about how rejuvenating it is to have an entire 7 days with no responsibility- I had quiet when I wanted it, yet could be loud and talk over margaritas when I wanted too! By yesterday morning though, I was ready to come home and be with my family! Its a wonderful feeling when you actually begin to miss changing diapers, doing laundry or having to share your bed with someone else. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Mike’s Mom for helping with Mikey, to my parents for (like always) being fantastic hosts and providing so many delicious meals and a week of fun and to my husband who is by FAR the most self-less, caring, loving (not to mention handsome) man! I owe you ALL so much!

So, I LOVE my brother’s girlfriend. She is simply the best. She was so easy to talk to, very fun natured and I can tell really cares about my brother! I really look forward to spending more time with her. This is the only picture I was able to get of the two of them since I seemed to forget my camera every time we went out.

Here’s one of me and my Dad- I was drinking margaritas that night

Oh, in case I haven’t mentioned, I am SO glad my little man is home! As I always say, I never realize how much I’ve missed him until he is home and inches TALLER! It was nice to sit down for an hour yesterday and have lunch with Braeden’s Nana and Aunt Nicole and her two kids (Charlie 8 and Allie 5). I simply adore all of Braeden’s “other” family.  

One funny tid bit to leave you laughing- Nicole was telling me how Braeden and Charlie were on the computer and when she walked in the room, they clicked off the screen real quick. After investigating the browsing history, it turns out they had googled, “Hot singers.” When I questioned B about this, he insisted that “Charlie MADE him.” Am I REALLY entering that phase of parenting ALREADY?

…..for Mikey’s “Unny” tells me so!

Jesus is the ONLY one I believe to be able to perform miracles and it is truly a miracle that I am holding THIS “unny” AKA Mikey’s life-line! Jesus must love me to allow me to be holding a DUPLICATE.

About a year and a half ago, Mikey discovered Unny among the rest of his stuffed animals and became ATTACHED to it. We’ve brought it along anywhere Mikey wants him to go- he accompanied Mikey all day every day while we were at Disney last summer.  He’s been washed numerous times, yet still plays “Jesus Loves Me” and we’ve only lost him once (well not really lost- just forgot) and that was when we came to my parents in March. My Dad had to mail it express mail after we left. It was about that time that I started searching for another one online. I was desperate to find a spare in case something happened to Mikey’d beloved friend. The thing is, we had no idea where he came from. He was one of many gifts we received in the first few months of Mikey’s life.

Well, the mystery was solved the other night as I was sitting at the bar talking to one of my parents friends. She was showing me pictures of her brand new granddaughter. In the photo, the little girl had a pink version of Unny. The women must have thought I was nuts as I yelped “That’s Mikey’s UNNY!” She smiled and said- “Your MOM gave it to her and she loves it.” WHAT? All along Unny was a gift from someone in the family? Well, let me just tell you, that I will NEVER make fun of my Mom again for buying about 20 of the same item if she finds a good deal. I don’t care if she paid 20 cents for Unny (although even my Mom can’t find THAT good of a deal)- he is worth a million bucks to us. Sure enough she had some more stashed away, waiting for someone else to have a baby.

New Unny will be hidden safely at our house until the other is lost, or he looses limbs. Mikey HAD bitten off the eye balls (which I was able to fix), but now I don’t have to panic so much when he can’t be found, or when a nose or mouth goes missing.

THANKS MOM! Grandmas are the BEST!

After days of pondering, and being indecisive (not uncommon for me)- I am going, I am not going, I am going with Mikey, Mikey is not going, I am not going at all- I woke up yesterday morning, packed some bags and off to my parents I came for a week, ALONE! I seem to function best in life doing things sper of the moment.

Mike and his Mom both practically insisted I go (not sure whether I should feel really loved or really worried) Honestly, I feel so incredibly lucky to have both the BEST Mother-in-law (who actually thinks of it as such a treat to have Mikey to herself for long stretches) and a husband who encourages ME to have quiet time alone, away from everything, when HE is 100 x more deserving of those things that I will ever be. I mean, I haven’t been working since April, yet he still feels I am deserving of the break? AMAZINGLY unselfish that man is! It’s times like these that I wonder how on earth I got so lucky!

I did drive the whole 6.5 hours here missing my boys and husband SO much wondering how I will make it through the week without any of them. So, before anyone thinks that I am a wicked wife and mom to just up and skip town for a week without her family, let me say that the REAL reason for the trip (although it IS quite nice typing this blog with two hands as opposed to the one finger tying that is typical while Mikey sits on my lap) is to visit with my brother and his girlfriend (whom he’s been dating about a year and I have yet to meet) who are also visiting with my parents from San Francisco. I am really anxious to meet Lisa (she and my sister share the same name). She has done so many thoughtful things for the boys, and my dad and sister have both given her the thumbs up, SO, I know I will love her. I figured they would enjoy their stay more without having a toddler following them around. Selfishly, I think I am going to enjoy my stay more without having a toddler follow ME around! HA! I am going to stay up late, sleep in late and enjoy some wine! Hurry up and get here Jack and Lisa!

As an added bonus, when I leave here Sunday, I will pick up Braeden on my way home- a WEEK earlier than anticipated! Woo Hoo.

So! Braeden’s Daddy Aaron was married this past Saturday in what I hear was an INCREDIBLE over-the-top weekend. I am so glad Braeden was able to go up to Chicago with Aaron’s family and be a part of it all. He was actually one of the groomsman and he lead the other 7 guys out into the church! Mike and I regret not being able to make the trip to Chicago to be a part of Aaron and Nancy’s special day, but are SO happy for both of them. I feel so incredibly thankful to share Braeden with a family of such wonderful people. A family who also happen to all be such GREAT friends to Mike and I too. I’m not sure I know of a kid who has more people loving him than Braeden! He’s one lucky little boy.

I am happy to see that the shoes don’t hurt his feet. At Mike and I’s wedding the shoes we ordered were too small and I noticed as I was walking up the isle that Braeden had his brown sandals on (with a black tux)

Braeden with his Daddy Aaron (right) and Uncle Nathan (Aaron’s brother and best man)-

What a sweet picture-

We LOVE Braeden’s new Step-Mom (this was the only picture of the bride I could find)-

LOVE this picture-

Acting silly with Uncle Nathan-